A Second Chance When You Need It Most I tell clients this all the time — the Accelerated Rehabilitation Program, or “AR,” is one of the best opportunities our system gives people who made a mistake to get their case dismissed without having to go to trial. It’s a way to walk…
What You Need to Know About Arrest Records, Dismissals, and Erasure Laws in Connecticut It’s one of the most common and nerve-racking questions I hear: “Attorney Friedman, I was arrested, but my case was dismissed — will this show up on a background check?” For many people, being arrested for…
Understanding How “Probable Cause” Really Works — and What to Do If You’re Accused Without Proof Introduction It’s one of the most shocking realities of the criminal justice system — yes, you can be arrested in Connecticut without a single piece of physical evidence. Most people assume that police need…
Understanding self-defense in Connecticut It’s late. You’re at a gas station by your car, and someone starts shouting — inches from your face, red-faced, getting closer. Your heart races. Your first instinct may be to hit them before they hit you. Before you act, take a breath. Connecticut law lets…
They think they’re safe because they never crossed the border. They sit in New York, Florida, or California behind a laptop, running a scam, stealing data, or sending money requests to Connecticut residents — convinced that as long as they never set foot here, no one can touch them. But…
Why the First Hours After an Arrest Matter More than You Think When the police knock on the door or flash their lights in the rearview mirror, life can go from normal to upside down in seconds. I’ve seen it countless times over the years: good people with careers, families,…
Why Social Media Can Ruin Your Case Before It Even Begins One of the first things police and prosecutors look at after an arrest is your social media. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and even text screenshots now appear in nearly every Connecticut criminal case. Many of my clients never imagined…
The Fear Beyond the Courtroom Getting arrested is always terrifying, but for professionals — such as doctors, teachers, lawyers, financial advisors, and executives — the consequences can feel catastrophic before the case even reaches a courtroom. I’ve represented countless people over the years who came to me not only worried…
A Split-Second Choice With Lasting Consequences In Stamford, Norwalk, and across Connecticut, young people often feel pressure to fit in with friends, get into clubs, or buy alcohol before 21. It might seem harmless to flash a fake ID at the bar or liquor store, but the reality is this:…
When Driving Turns Dangerous We’ve all been there. Someone cuts you off in traffic, rides your bumper, or refuses to let you merge. Your blood pressure rises, your grip on the wheel tightens, and you feel the urge to respond. In that moment, a normal driver can quickly turn into…